Prostate cancer usually comes with no obvious symptoms in the earliest stages – but there are red flags that you should look out for when you go to the bathroom
Prostate cancer often presents no symptoms in its early stages, but there are warning signs to watch out for – particularly when using the bathroom.
Dr Deborah Lee from Dr Fox Online Pharmacy has emphasised the importance of men being aware of these symptoms and seeking testing if they have concerns, as early diagnosis offers the best prognosis. She said: “The best outcome occurs in men who were diagnosed with early prostate cancer. In England, four in 10 men are diagnosed when their prostate cancer is at an advanced stage.”
A key symptom that may indicate a need to consult your GP is difficulty urinating. If you feel the need to go to the toilet but struggle to do so, it’s time to contact your doctor. Other symptoms highlighted by Dr Lee include not reaching the bathroom in time to urinate, leaking urine, urinary retention (having a full bladder but being unable to pee), and experiencing pain during an erection or ejaculation.
More advanced prostate cancer can present additional symptoms. Currently, there is no screening programme for prostate cancer in the UK, but Prostate Cancer UK and the government have launched ‘TRANSFORM’, a £42 million trial aiming to save thousands of men each year by identifying the most effective way to screen for prostate cancer.
On their website, they shared: “Led and developed by us, and backed by £16 million of Government funding, the trial will involve hundreds of thousands of men – making it the biggest prostate cancer diagnosis trial in 20 years.
“The trial will compare the most promising tests and provide definitive evidence for the best way to screen for prostate cancer so that, in future, all men at risk will be invited for regular tests that can find the disease as early as possible.”
Currently, all men over 50 are entitled to a free prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test on the NHS, but it requires them to proactively book an appointment with their GP. This groundbreaking trial could revolutionise how prostate cancer is diagnosed. If you’re worried about prostate cancer, don’t hesitate to contact your GP immediately.
